Propak East Africa Conference 2026
The Propak East Africa Conference is a three-day, knowledge-driven programme equipping industry professionals with practical insights across packaging, printing, and food & beverage processing.
Marking Propak’s 10th edition — “10 Years of Innovation & Excellence” — the conference focuses on innovation, compliance, sustainability, and market readiness, supporting East African businesses to compete locally, regionally, and globally.
Click on the link Propak EA 2026 Conference Registration
Day 1 – Eastern African Packaging Summit (4th Edition)
A focused day of insight into the trends, policies, and innovations shaping East Africa’s packaging industry. Featuring Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary for Trade at the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), alongside industry experts, the conference explores sustainable solutions, regional trade opportunities, brand protection, consumer trends, and the shift toward a circular economy — equipping businesses with the insight needed to compete and grow.
Day 2 – Printing Masterclass Day by Printing SA
A dedicated skills-development day delivering practical, industry-relevant training to upskill professionals across the printing, packaging, and branding value chain, with pathways to further accreditation and professional growth.
Day 3 – Unlocking East Africa’s Processing Potential
An in-depth exploration of food and beverage processing, examining innovation, value addition, quality, safety, finance, and market access to help processors scale, compete, and future-proof their operations.
- Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026
- Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026
- Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026
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9:30 -10:0010:00-10:20Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 10:00-10:20
Trends in Packaging Innovation in Eastern Africa
10:20 -10:50Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 10:20 -10:50Sustainable Packaging Solutions- Foundations of Packaging Compliance, Materials & Market Readiness
10:50 - 11:20Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 10:50 - 11:20Packaging Enabler of EAC and ACFTA Trade
11:30 - 12:00
Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 11:30 - 12:00Propak East Africa Opening Ceremony and 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
12:00 -12:30Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 12:00 -12:30Brand Security -Protecting East Africa Brands
12:30 - 13:00Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 12:30 - 13:00Branding and Consumer Insights
Branding, Packaging for Consumer trends, Market Trends and Consumer Preferences and Market Impact
14:10 -14:40Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 14:10 -14:40Flexible Packaging- Intricacies of Flexible Packaging
14:40 -15:0015:00 -15:20Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 15:00 -15:20Smart & Sustainable Packaging – Innovation for a Connected and Circular Future
15.30– 16.00Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 15.30– 16.00Future Outlook for Eastern African Packaging
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09.30 -10.00Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 09.30 -10.00
Printing SA Welcome & Overview
10.00 – 10.30Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 10.00 – 10.30Research Findings – Trends & Opportunities in Printing & Packaging
- Overview of the Printing Industry (employment, volume output, GDP contribution, market positioning)
- Printing Industry Growth (past 5 years and outlook for the next 5 years)
- Local and global trends
- Printing SA industry-focused initiatives for 2026
10.30 – 12.00Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 10.30 – 12.00Hybrid Inkjet Printing for Packaging
Phil will focus on hybrid inkjet printing for packaging as the smart way forward, sharing independent insight into where hybrid truly works and where it does not, answering real commercial and operational questions you won’t find in brochures.
12.15 – 13.30Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 12.15 – 13.30Design for Print: Bridging Creativity in Print and Packaging
Addressing the critical intersection of design in print and packaging production, including understanding print specifications, colour management, pre-press workflow optimisation, designing for different printing processes, and building effective collaboration between designers and printers. The integrative role of AI and Generative AI in designing for print and packaging will also be comprehensively explored.
14.30 – 15.30Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 14.30 – 15.30Printing Expanded Colour Gamut (ECG): From Theory to Proven Performance
15.45 – 16.00 -
10:15 – 10:4511:15 – 11:4511:45 – 12:30Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026 11:45 – 12:30
Beyond the Bottle: Innovation & Authenticity in East Africa’s Beverage Industry
East Africa’s beverage sector is undergoing a creative revolution, blending tradition with innovation. This panel will unpack how brands are responding to consumer demand for authenticity, functionality, and sustainability — from teas and dairy-based drinks to craft brews and natural beverages.
1:00– 2:002:00– 2:45Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026 2:00– 2:45Cracking Regional & Global Markets: What It Takes for East African Processors to Compete
Market standards, certifications, buyer expectations, and regional trade policies.
2:45– 3:30Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026 2:45– 3:30Closing the Finance Gap – Banks, Fintech & What Really Works for Manufacturing SMEs
Access to finance remains one of the biggest hurdles for East African SMEs in processing and manufacturing. While banks continue to play a critical role, new players such as fintechs and impact-driven platforms are reshaping how businesses access growth capital. This panel will explore the practical solutions that are working on the ground — from traditional lending models to innovative digital finance — and what more can be done to unlock affordable, scalable financing for SMEs across the region.
3:30– 4:00Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026 3:30– 4:00The SME Story – Building Processing Businesses That Scale
What does it take for a small food processor to grow into a thriving regional brand? This spotlight session shares the journey of Burton & Bamber, offering lessons on scaling, market entry, and resilience for other SMEs in the processing sector.
